Alaska Airlines Jet Safely Lands at LAX After Tire Loss
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Loses Tire During Takeoff: Emergency Declared
LOS ANGELES — On November 14, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 encountered a serious incident during its takeoff from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The aircraft, a Boeing 737-900ER registered as N461AS, was en route to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with 175 passengers and six crew members onboard when it lost one of its tires.
Alaska Airlines Incident Overview
The flight, designated AS309, took off at 5:57 PM local time. Shortly after departure, the crew reported experiencing a strong “jolt,” causing some overhead bins to open and deploying emergency oxygen masks. Passengers described hearing a “loud pop” and feeling the aircraft shake violently.
In response to the incident, the flight crew requested a runway inspection at IAD. Ground officials discovered tire debris, but the landing gear functioned correctly. The crew decided to continue to LAX, declaring an emergency as a precaution. “There’s no reason we can see to discontinue the flight at this point. Just press on to Los Angeles and take care of it there,” a crew member communicated, as noted by ABC7 Los Angeles.
Emergency Response at LAX
As the aircraft approached LAX, emergency services prepared for a potential situation. Passengers were informed of the emergency approximately an hour before landing and were instructed to assume the brace position during descent. Brent Drewette, a passenger, described the experience: “It was 10 seconds of really violent shaking. But then emergency crews checked, and they brought us in, and everything was fine.”
The aircraft safely landed at LAX at 8:07 PM and taxied to the gate without further incident. The crew received applause from passengers, including a group of Orange County middle school students returning from a field trip. Virginia resident Allison Mueller expressed her concern, stating, “I had to remain really calm for my daughter. I was scared.”
Investigation Underway Following the Tire Incident
Alaska Airlines has confirmed that the involved Boeing 737 will be taken out of service for a comprehensive investigation. An airline spokesperson commented, “While this incident is a rare occurrence, our flight crews train extensively to safely manage through many scenarios. We understand this might have been a concerning moment for our guests on board. We apologize for what they experienced.”
Despite the emergency situation, airport operations at LAX remained unaffected, with no reported disruptions.
For more information about flight safety and related incidents, you can refer to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our other articles on airline safety protocols.
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